Use of Mobile Phones, Cameras and Social Networking Policy
Mobile Phones, Cameras and Social Networking Policy
Use of Cameras:
Mobile Phones, Cameras, and Social Networking Policy
Use of Cameras:
Photographs of the children are taken for the purpose of recording children participating in activities, achievements, observations, parties, birthdays or when we go on outings.
A Consent form is signed by Parents on the Child Registration Form, giving permission for the Preschool to take photographs of their child.
Only the Preschool Camera must be used to take any photographs of children, and the Photographs are stored appropriately and must be downloaded as soon as possible.
Any Photographs taken must be deemed suitable without putting any child in a compromising position which could cause stress or embarrassment to the child.
Cameras must not be taken into the toilet areas; the camera must be in a prominent position where it can be seen.
Un-less all parent has signed for their child to be photographed no photographs will be given permission e.g., Christmas play, sports day.
Use of Mobile Phones:
Staff, visitors, and volunteers can bring their mobile phones into the preschool but must be turned off and placed in the office, they must not use any recording or photo equipment on their mobile phones. They are not permitted to use the mobile phone for any personal calls, internet sites or texts during working hours, only on lunch breaks. Staff can be contacted on the preschool mobile number if necessary and in cases of an emergency on 07921 579984 or 01502 218180.
Smart/apple watches or any other devise that can take pictures are not permitted in the setting.
The manager or Chairperson reserves the right to check the contents on a mobile phone if there is any cause for concern over its use. Staff should not use their personal phones, email, or social networking sites to contact parents on a professional or personal level. Staff should not discuss any aspect of the preschool, children or other staff members outside the preschool including with other staff members on social media, messenger, email, or text.
Social Networking:
Employees do not have the right to absolute privacy when they post on a social-networking site. It does not matter where they connect from, if it is on the social-networking site and is read this can be used as grounds to discipline an employee. Personal statuses must not include words or images that can be found inappropriate, offensive or breach of safeguarding.
All friends list on social media must be made available and not on private settings.
Employees using social-networking sites are to refrain from commenting on any aspect of the Pre-school, including the families attending and in any aspect of the Management of the setting. This includes private messages.
This Policy extends to instances of harassment, discrimination and any other behaviour which is barred by law or company policy.
Employees are not to add or have parents and grandparents or any users of the setting as friends on social-networking sites. If they are already friends on the social networking site prior to the child attending the setting, then this should be deleted before the child starts attending the setting, including when on waiting list, all staff will be made aware by the chairperson or manager.
Parents and grandparents are not to be added as friends after the child leaves the setting, this applies if a staff member leaves their employment for 3 months.
The preschool and the running of, children, or staff members are not to be discussed with previous staff members who have left their employment.
Any professionals involved or linked with the involvement of the preschool are not to be friends on social media sites.
Social outing out of preschool hours with parents is not acceptable and prohibited.
Employees should be friends on a social networking site with the Manager and the Chairperson to protect the Preschool and themselves from misuse and dispute.
Employees are not post personal pictures that can lead to embarrassment or inappropriate images, as this will lead to disciplinary action.
Staff are not to discuss any aspects of the preschool including daily running, management, other staff, and children etc with each other or on any social media or private message and private meet ups, including with ex staff members.
The Pre-school has no desire to keep employees from enjoying social-networking sites. This policy is in place to protect the Pre-school and its employees, not to prevent people from using the web sites in usual harmless ways.
This policy was reviewed September 2023.
Signed on behalf of the Pre-school: Jennifer Clark, Chairperson
To be reviewed annually